ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 42 percent
of high school students have texted or emailed when in the driver's
seat at least once in the past 30 days, according to a 2014 survey
conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Adding
to this startling statistic, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration reports phone use when behind the wheel causes one
in every five teen distracted driving fatalities. Digital
distractions along with failure to learn safe driving techniques
have both contributed to motor vehicle crashes becoming the leading
cause of death among teens in the United
States.
To help keep teens safe on the road, The UPS Foundation teamed
up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to create UPS Road Code,
a national program educating teens on safe driving techniques.
Celebrating its sixth anniversary in 2015, the highly successful
UPS Road Code program enables teens to drive change for themselves
and their peers through a combination of classroom sessions and the
use of a driving simulator. In addition to the hands on support of
the volunteer UPS instructors, the program now offers online
resources for parents and teen drivers to prepare for the realities
of the road. To date the program has reached 20,000 participants
since its launch in 2009 and is available in 52 Boys & Girls
Clubs throughout 40 U.S.
cities.
National Teen Driver Safety Week
Through the UPS Road Code program, The UPS Foundation and Boys
& Girls Clubs of America are lending their support to National
Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW). Held this year from October 18-24, NTDSW is a week annually
designated by Congress to raise awareness of teen driver safety
topics and to encourage safe teen driver and passenger behavior.
With an average of nearly eight teens dying each day in car crashes
(Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), the focus of NTDSW and
UPS Road Code is to inspire parents, teens and educators to take a
firm stance on teen driver safety within their local communities in
an effort to ensure bright futures for America's youth.
Safety First
Reaching 20,000 teens since its inception in 2009, UPS Road Code
provides participants with unparalleled training from UPS employees
committed to safety within their communities. The program is
largely based on the same methods used by UPS drivers, who are
known for their safe driving techniques. In fact, UPS's 102,000
drivers worldwide are among the safest on the roads, logging more
than three billion miles per year and delivering more than four
billion packages safely. UPS also has more than 7,875 members
in its "Circle of Honor" program, recognizing drivers who can boast
25 years or more of safe driving. Taught by approximately 125 UPS
employees trained as volunteer instructors, the program provides
teens with a combination of classroom-based instruction, as well as
time "behind the wheel" of a virtual driving simulator.
The program focuses on different safety principles, from basic
instruction to the consequences of risky behaviors such as talking
on cell phones, texting or drinking while driving. Teens practice
what they've learned on the driving simulators, which feature a
computer screen that serves as a windshield to the program's
interactive animation, a steering wheel and life-like gas and brake
pedals.
Driving Change
In 2015, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and The UPS
Foundation continue to drive awareness of UPS Road Code and educate
teens by hosting free community events at local Boys & Girls
Clubs in various cities throughout the country. Events include fun
activities and challenges, as well as the chance for attendees to
interact with the program's driving simulators. Participants also
have the opportunity to sign a petition, pledging to make the roads
safer by not driving distracted.
In addition, teens nationwide have the opportunity to make a
difference and drive change for themselves and their peers. Using
social media, such as the UPS Road Code Facebook page, teens can
share online tools and resources developed to spread the word about
road safety. From tips and statistics to an online quiz and info on
safe driving techniques, the program aims to help teens to be aware
of the potential dangers they may face on the road and enable them
to share those insights with friends and family.
"The UPS Road Code program is more than just a safe-driving
program; it's about encouraging teens to act as a catalyst for
driving change," said Myron Gray,
president, UPS U.S. operations. "UPS Road Coad is dedicated to
finding the best tools for teens by providing them with encouraging
role models that will assist them in becoming ambassadors of
safety. We look forward to continuing to help them drive positive
change in their communities."
The UPS Road Code program is available to teens at Boys &
Girls Clubs in the following cities:
1. Atlanta, Ga.
2. Boston, Mass.
3. Bronx, N.Y.
4. Carson, Calif.
5. Chicago, Ill.
6. Cleveland, Ohio
7. Columbus, Ohio
8. Dallas, Texas
9. Detroit, Mich.
10. Elk River, Minn.
11. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
12. Indianapolis, Ind.
13. Jackson, Miss.
14. Jacksonville, Fla.
15. Jersey City, N.J.
16. Laguna Beach, Calif.
17. Largo, Fla.
18. Las Vegas, Nev.
19. Little Rock, Ark.
20. Los Angeles, Calif.
21. Louisville, Ky.
22. Manchester, N.H.
23. Memphis, Tenn.
24. Milwaukee, Wisc.
25. New Orleans, La.
26. New York, N.Y.
27. Oakland, Calif.
28. Omaha, Neb.
29. Orlando, Fla.
30. Philadelphia, Pa.
31. Phoenix, Ariz.
32. Portland, Ore.
33. Richmond, Virg.
34. San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
35. Scottsdale, Ariz.
36. St. Paul, Minn.
37. Tampa, Fla.
38. Tucson, Ariz.
39. Washington, D.C.
40. Zionsville, Ind.
Teens, parents and others interested in learning more about safe
driving, the UPS Road Code program and access to new tools and tips
should visit www.bgca.org/roadcode.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
(GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve
great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today,
more than 4,000 Clubs serve some 4 million young people annually
through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located
in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands
throughout the country, and serve military families in
BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations
worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun,
friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily
basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize
academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy
lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club
saved their lives. National headquarters are located in
Atlanta. Learn more at
http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
About The UPS Foundation
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a
broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages
and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the
deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the
world of business. Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a
legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting
programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs.
Founded in 1951, The UPS Foundation leads the global citizenship
programs for UPS which includes philanthropy, corporate relations
and community engagement in local, national, and international
communities. In 2014, UPS and its employees, active and retired,
invested more than $104 million in
charitable giving around the world. The UPS Foundation can be found
on the web at UPS.com/Foundation. To get UPS news direct,
visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.
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SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America